howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
22 February 2009
23:4015913yet again the tory benefactor mentioned above hits the headlines.
apparently he is based in belize and refuses to answer whether he pays any taxes here.
little is known of his activities, however he has donated to funds to a political party in belize that when elected amended some laws to suit his business activities.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
23 February 2009
08:4715919Yes indeed in these days of dodgy political finances in all areas this Lord Ashcroft one is unlikely to go away. He seems very shadowy, all smoke and mirrors. It seems there is a company set up here in the UK that makes financial contributions to the Conservative Party but it appears to be little more than a facade. But nobody it seems can trace the origin of the company for sure, although the suspicions are there.
Im sure BarryW will know more but as I understand it you have to be a resident tax payer here in the UK to be able to fund a political party.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
23 February 2009
09:5315923Yes that is right PaulB or it should come from a trading business that is registered in the UK.
As I understand it Lord Ashcrofts trading concern in the UK is making the donations perfectly legally. The Compliance unit have checked this out and OK'd it. Particularly given Ashcrofts controvercial high profile I am sure they would have stopped it if they thought there was any impropriety.
Because of the amount of mischief being caused for political reasons over this and a whispering campaign against Ashcroft it is right to have a formal investigation to resolve the matter once and for all.
Guest 670- Registered: 23 Apr 2008
- Posts: 573
23 February 2009
12:3315930Yet again the Tories hitting the headlines for entirely the wrong reasons, when are they going to hit the headlines for the right reasons.
This has got to be the most ineffective opposition for many years, lead by a man who fails to inspire, lacks conviction and just fails to get any sort of message across to the masses.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
23 February 2009
16:4115936Now now Dave. 20% ahead in the polls and having retained a polling lead now for nearly 18 months hardly suggests an ineffective opposition or leader failing to 'inspire or not getting the message accross to the masses'.
There have been plenty of headlines because of the 'right' reasons, whatever they are.
Having seen your posts now for a fair old while I dont expect you ever to vote Conservative whatever DC says and does or, indeed any Tory leader come to that.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
23 February 2009
17:1215939nor will any body else with a bit of common sence,i would rather vote lib/dem or indiependant than a tory candidate.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
23 February 2009
18:2015945I would expect nothing else from you Brian.
As for a bit of common sense, I would suggest that any lack of that would be with those who want to perpetuate the present bunch of incompetents Governing the UK!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
23 February 2009
18:5915950we could never call lord ashcroft incompetent, funding two major parties in two different countries.
he must know what he is doing.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
23 February 2009
19:1315951I would just urge caution as to what might be suggested. People of wealth and influence may take umbrage in a very costly manner towards those who suggest wrongdoing where there may well not be! If, and its a big if, there is something in the allegations then it will come out in the enquiry.
Guest 670- Registered: 23 Apr 2008
- Posts: 573
23 February 2009
19:2615953I will go along with that Barry, there is far too much trial by innuendo and the media these days.
By the way your posting addressed at me could not be more wrong if you tried. As I have repeatedly said in the past I do not know who I will be voting for at the next election. I just wished that we had an opposition and I'm probably using the wrong word here, forceful, aim their policies decicively at the electorate and not this tit for tat point scoring that we see every Wednesday.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
23 February 2009
20:1515964barry
i have been very careful and only stated acknowledged facts that are agreed across the media.
i know, for a fact too, that he is very good to his old mum.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
23 February 2009
22:3415973Facts? howard....
Sid Pollitt
23 February 2009
22:4015976Is this a case of broken Belize?
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
25 February 2009
09:5616077On the posting itself, Its surely about this may w111ell be found to legal, but so are the MP's Euro MP's expenses, but look at it from the every day local guy/girl
This Is another example that will switch off another large number of voters.
Thats the sad part.
Don't get me going on the media bit, IV Been there and know how damaging they can be.
Just because Brian chooses not to vote conservative, doesnt lack common sense, its about freedom to choose. Thankfully we still can
Fink Dave1 hit nail on the head, people are bored of politicians, of all parties
so we keep[ getting much of the same
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,696
25 February 2009
23:0216180Frankly both major parties are making themselves unelectable in my book.
The level of partisan "yah boo sucks" politics over the last 20 years is mind numbing, coupled with the sleaze, ineptitude and lack of intellectual rigour from the vast majority of the house; has brought us to the stage where I and many people are totally turned off by it all.
It bothers me that our two major parties are so close to each other on many things yet struggle to agree on anything. It also annoys me that party political factionalism is allowed to get in the way of finding the best way forward for the country.
This sadly leaves me with a personal conundrum as I cannot bring myself to vote for any of the major parties, but I absolutely would not forgive myself if I failed to exercise my franchise.
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Sid Pollitt
25 February 2009
23:3416188I read the other day that the [probable] reason Ashcroft is giving money to individual candidates rather than to the Tory party is if he gave directly to them he'd have to declare his UK place of residence which he is unwilling to do.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
26 February 2009
07:5016193He started giving money to individual Constituencies when I was Dover Chiarman and therefore I can say categorically that the reason for doing so was because he wanted his money to go direct to the front line where it could make most impact. He did not entirely trust Central Office either and thought too much would be wasted. There was no other reason, I was told this in conversation by the man himself at a Conference.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
26 February 2009
09:2816200I think all politicians should look at Ross's posting, many sadly are finking like him.